A Favorite Summer Sandwich

When I was in junior high and high school, I had a (now embarrassing) obsession with a certain set of films starring Meg Ryan.  I made pilgrimages to all of the Upper West Side locations featured in You've Got Mail, including the famous Café Lalo.  It was over lunch with a friend at this charming café, which is known for its outstanding desserts, that I discovered a simple yet spectacular combination of ingredients that have since topped many slices of toast in my house: avocado, sprouts, bell pepper, and Bulgarian feta.  Perfect on a hot summer afternoon, or anytime you need a quick but special lunch.  Below is my reverie.

--K, amused by her past obsessions

A sturdy piece of whole grain toast is topped with a mildly grassy, herbal bed of sprouts.  These are topped with rich slices of creamy avocado, glistening under a light drizzle of sweet, spicy balsamic vinaigrette.  These velvety low notes are complemented by exquisite salty-fresh high notes combining generous sprinkles of crunchy, sweet red bell pepper and the enticing briny tang of fresh, moist feta crumbles... 

Toast 4 slices of a hearty multi-grain bread, rub gently with a slice from 1 clove garlic.

Top toasts with a few handfuls of fresh sprouts, then layer slices from 1 ripe Hass avocado.
  
Drizzle a favorite Balsamic vinegar or vinaigrette over avocado with a pinch of coarse salt.

Add some finely diced red bell pepper and crumbles of Bulgarian feta cheese (other kinds of feta work well too).  Finish with a few grinds of fresh pepper.  *Bonus: squeeze a touch of fresh lemon juice and a drizzle of fancy extra-virgin olive oil over the plate before serving.

Serves 2...Bliss.  wink wink.